Organized Crime and Human Trafficking in Myanmar: A Growing Concern

The situation in Myanmar is becoming increasingly dire as the country’s corrupt military regime and border guard forces are implicated in a growing number of organized crime and human trafficking cases. This article highlights key points that illustrate the gravity of the issue.

A Hub for Organized Crime

• Myanmar’s military regime has become a hub for organized crime, with revenue from corrupt border guard forces being a key pillar of its survival strategy.
• The Chinese police have warned their nationals not to travel to Myanmar due to “terrifying” conditions, indicating the country poses a global security threat.

The Role of Shwe Kokko Yatai New City

• A Chinese-led project in Myawaddy, a town on Myanmar’s border with Thailand, has been implicated in organized crime and human trafficking.
• Despite the arrest of its director, She Zhijiang, the project continues to operate.

Cross-Border Connections

• The project has ties to Cambodia-based Chinese media outlets, which have run advertisements for the Shwe Kokko Yatai New City, indicating a market for “businesses” to relocate to Myanmar.
• This suggests that organized crime and human trafficking are not isolated issues in Myanmar, but rather part of a larger regional problem.

The Human Trafficking Crisis

• Dozens of unsuspecting victims are trafficked into Myanmar every day, highlighting the need for international action to address this crisis.
• The situation poses a significant challenge for global security and requires a coordinated response from governments and international organizations.